Recorded on a single night in June 2000, In the Flesh: Live is a thrilling live testament to the strength of Roger Waters's peculiar artistic vision. Backed by a crack ensemble of both fresh and seasoned players, the former Pink Floyd songsmith powers through Floyd classics, underserved relics, and highlights from his spotty solo career. The man is in great shape, physically and musically, and he obviously has a blast playing live. What of the axe work? Accept the fact that Waters and Floyd guitarist David Gilmour no longer play together, and you'll appreciate stand-ins Snowy White and Doyle Bramhall II--and the degree to which they honor the parts and solos immortalized by Gilmour. (See the lavish but impersonal Pulse for a healthy dose of Gilmour's Floyd.) The Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix is massive, presenting both the music's inherent spaciousness and the favorable acoustics in Portland, Oregon's Rose Garden Arena. The DVD's 18-minute documentary is long on downtime and short on musical interplay. Any way you cut it, though, this is a must for Floyd fans and a real treat for lovers of arty, intelligent rock. --Michael Mikesell
